I currently have an 2004 RX 330 that has been practically problem free. Now I am ready for something a little for sporty. I'm looking to purchase a coupe. All suggestions are welcomed, but I would really like to have something a little nicer as I am used to the lexus craftmanship.

I originally intended to buy a G35 coupe, but they're a little in expensive for my taste. I was looking for something a step above the RX.

It's funny how most coupes are priced at either 35K and under or 65K and above. That's a huge gap!

Let me know what you guys think.

Oh...here's a list of a few I am thinking about:
slk350
2004 clk320 cab
boxster

Thanks for any input.

Hmm so you're looking for a coupe when your list consists of cabriolets and roadsters... Make up your mind! Which one is it?:D

And since you're used to the Lexus craftsmanship, why not just get something that actually is built with the Lexus craftsmanship, i.e. the SC430?;) The SC430 is THE most trouble-free vehicle ever of any market segment according to J. D. Power and Consumer Reports. You just can't go wrong with getting a SC430. You can either get a good deal now or wait for the 2006 update with 6-speed auto and a mild facelift.

BTW, welcome to ClubLexus. :thumbup:

I meant to say that I was looking for a car with two doors. I'm not all that familiar with the car lingo.

I was looking at used SC430s, but they seem a little pricey unless I look at older ones.

Oh and the new corvette is hot, but a little pricey and kinda gives off a trashy common vibe. Hope that doesn't offend anyone :confused: They are great cars and offer alot though.

I meant to say that I was looking for a car with two doors. I'm not all that familiar with the car lingo.Ahh OK, no biggie at all.:DI was looking at used SC430s, but they seem a little pricey unless I look at older ones.Um so what's your price range? You can get a 2002 SC430 for under $40k fairly easily, which costs about the same as a 2004 CLK320 and quitea bit cheaper than the SLK350 (~$45k) in your list.Oh and the new corvette is hot, but a little pricey and kinda gives off a trashy common vibe. Hope that doesn't offend anyone :confused: They are great cars and offer alot though.The Corvette is a great hot rod but certainly does not possess the Lexus-like craftsmanship you said you're looking for. Just keep that in mind.;)

I would probably buy a SC430. My brother bought one for about $44,000. Drives great , you will love it. Corvette's are crap compared to Lexus and other cars in it class

"Um so what's your price range?"

I'm hoping for somewhere in the 45k neighborhood. Obviously its going to shoot up a little for that perfect car.

I have only been able to find older SC 430s circa 2002-2003 that fit my range. I really wasn't hoping for a anything older than a 2004. For that year, the prices have been late 40' s early 50's.

I really don't want to purchase through a private party. i'd feel safer buying a Certified Pre-Owned vehicle.

The SLK's are really on the top of my list. I went over to MB of Newport Beach and said they were selling for 50-55. That's crazy! I'll probably go down the carsdirect route if i opt for that car sice they are selling them at 48.

Who knows though? I may even change my mind for a sporty car with four doors or a sexy SUV. Lexus doesn't really offer anything that appeals to me right now, other than their SUVs. The new GS is nice, but doesn't make me want to go out and buy it.

Here's another set of cars I MAY possible look at:
BMW 530
2003 Range Rover

Their designs are appealing, but are not my primary choices. Something with two doors is what I really want. Oh, that and something that wont be completely redesigned in a couple of years.

i would say sc430 too, that's a great car for the price range. get a 03, a lot of lease coming to an end. with around 30k miles there is nothing to lose. they have most updates already anyway :)

In that case I think the new Boxster is a good choice for you. It is just newly designed with a good hp bump, in your price range, and has a generally good reliability track record for a German car.

Welcome to Clublexus.

Corvette. Good price, pretty reliable, fast as hell. The interior is slightly upgraded, you can mod it and it looks GREAT to me.
M3, another coupe in that price range. No need to explain this car.
Used 911. Another car that doesn't need explanation :)
Boxster, wonderful car, the new one just expands on the previous models success.

slk350

The new 3.5 liter is a really impressive powerplant. And it powers the SLK roadster to 60 mph in an impressive 5.4 seconds (+0.1 for the 7-speed auto) - according to MB. For a normally aspirated V6 - that's pretty incredible performance. Throw in the nifty hardtop convertible roof and the pleasant interior and it's quite a package.

Good luck in your search.

M.

The new 3.5 liter is a really impressive powerplant. And it powers the SLK roadster to 60 mph in an impressive 5.4 seconds (+0.1 for the 7-speed auto) - according to MB. For a normally aspirated V6 - that's pretty incredible performance. Throw in the nifty hardtop convertible roof and the pleasant interior and it's quite a package.

Good luck in your search.

M.
I agree, the new Benz 3.5 with the 7 speed auto has gotten great reviews. :thumbup:

hmm...a used 911 really?

How old and how high of miles am I talking about here? I have always been a fan of the Porsches. The thought of possibly owning one is exciting.

Though the Corvette is an awesome car with loads of power, it seems a bit too common for me. The XLR would be worth looking at if it wasn't so damn expensive.

And I have to agree about the M3. That's a car I want, but I know I'm always going to be thinking thats its an old body style. I like to keep up to date. I'm a fickle fickle man!.

hmm...a used 911 really?

How old and how high of miles am I talking about here? I have always been a fan of the Porsches. The thought of possibly owning one is exciting.

Though the Corvette is an awesome car with loads of power, it seems a bit too common for me. The XLR would be worth looking at if it wasn't so damn expensive.

And I have to agree about the M3. That's a car I want, but I know I'm always going to be thinking thats its an old body style. I like to keep up to date. I'm a fickle fickle man!.
Welcome to Clublexus. The next M3 won't be around at least 2 more years, I say 3. If you lease, it would be up by then. The next M3 will bea V-8.

GM is supposedly having an everyone qualifies for Employee discount pricing this month. The XLR is selling very slow so between that and a possible rebate(s) it will be cheaper. Its still too expensive at 75k to start.

911, oh boy, we can talk about it all day. I would buy the newest model I could in my price range. The headlights changed in 2001 to the turbo style and the car gained 20hp. Before that it had 300hp and shared the Boxster headlights. I like both styles. The later cars kept getting interior improvements.
http://www.6speedonline.com/

is a wonderful Porsche forum not just I but many members here are a member of, they can help tons with Porsche questions.

Consider a Shelby Mustang, if you are willing to have less-than-Lexus fit-and-finish.
Has dynamite looks, 450-500 HP, and should go for the low-mid 40's new...depends on dealer markup.
http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/576

hmm...a used 911 really?

How old and how high of miles am I talking about here? I have always been a fan of the Porsches. The thought of possibly owning one is exciting.
.

Probably could get a clean 2000 (or if lucky) 2001 911, after that prices are more likely out of your range.

Another car to consider that would just be in this range is a 1997 NSX for that $$. That's the first year the HP bumped up to 290. Fit and finish would be more in the Lexus leauge as well.

if i have about 45K, i would consider either new S4 (looks really good,IMO) or M3.

I really wasn't hoping for a anything older than a 2004. For that year, the prices have been late 40' s early 50's.Hmm most people here seem to be suggesting a higher-end car of an earlier year. If you can loosen up the year restriction a bit you'll definitely find a much wider range of good choices.:)

Another car to consider that would just be in this range is a 1997 NSX for that $$. That's the first year the HP bumped up to 290. Fit and finish would be more in the Lexus league as well.

What Dave said. Or, a slightly older model in extremely good shape.

drop top on any of these

2002 viper final edition
1994 ferrari 355
late porsche

and i do admire davegs4's pick on the nsx :thumbup:

I currently have an 2004 RX 330 that has been practically problem free. Now I am ready for something a little for sporty. I'm looking to purchase a coupe. All suggestions are welcomed, but I would really like to have something a little nicer as I am used to the lexus craftmanship.

I originally intended to buy a G35 coupe, but they're a little in expensive for my taste. I was looking for something a step above the RX.

It's funny how most coupes are priced at either 35K and under or 65K and above. That's a huge gap!

If you're prepared to spend up to $45K, how come you consider the G35 coupe to be too expensive ? :uh: It's a great car for the money & they upgraded the interior for 05 too . . .

If you're prepared to spend up to $45K, how come you consider the G35 coupe to be too expensive ? :uh: It's a great car for the money & they upgraded the interior for 05 too . . .

I think he was trying to say it was too *inexpensive* for his tastes. The man needs a 40K+ car. LOL

-Anthony

I think he was trying to say it was too *inexpensive* for his tastes. The man needs a 40K+ car. LOL

-Anthony
Thanx, I totally missed the "in" before the "expensive" LOL, I think I need more coffee . . . :egads:

Thanx, I totally missed the "in" before the "expensive" LOL, I think I need more coffee . . . :egads:

and it's still early in the morning ;)

spend $45k on a '99 porsche 911 and mod it like this...

http://www.iforged.com/newwing3.jpg
1999 Porsche 911 Techart Widebody :cool:

if you want to be different, try a 97 or 98 SUPRA!!!! the design of that car is timeless! and since it would be less than $35K, you'd have extra cash to mod it like crazzzzzyyy!!!

spend $45k on a '99 porsche 911 and mod it like this...
]
1999 Porsche 911 Techart Widebody :cool:

can you get all those done with the car for 45k?

Honda S2000 for speed, handling, and awesome engine for $32K.

had you a 2002 :cry: porsche c4 coupe I could have scooped up for you for under 42k low low miles too...

older ferrari with low miles would give you trouble. You want one that been driven, notorious for messing up by just sitting
Picking up a nice low mile sc430 would be smart, won't lose alot of money with it, and it will last. I can find them all day for cheap. 2002-2003 20k miles or so...34k lemme know ;)
2002 maserati vert I can locate, very cheap,
Its four doors but i love the cts-v, interior isn't the best
45 k in cash can really talk the talk imho.

Sporty doesn't neccessarily mean two door, right? If sports sedan, I could recommend several in that price range. 06 BMW 330i, 06 Lexus GS300, or wait a few months for the Lexus IS350. But if you have to have a two door, how about BMW M3? CLK looks good, but it kinds of lack a clear characteristic.

Sporty doesn't neccessarily mean two door, right? If sports sedan, I could recommend several in that price range. .


4-doors? You can start with the new Chrysler 300C, Dodge Magnum or Charger R/T or SRT-8 Hemis.
If you can spend a little more there is the Cadillac CTS-V.

These cars, however, may not have particularly good build quality.

If 4 door is an option, definately wait for the new IS350.

If you can wait even longer, there's a likelihood the IS350 hardtop convertible maybe coming out late next year.

If 4 door is an option, definately wait for the new IS350.

If you can wait even longer, there's a likelihood the IS350 hardtop convertible maybe coming out late next year.

i was just about to say that, if 4 door, wait for the is350 and see what's up

my top 3 choices would be m3, g35 or nsx,,,,, i had the first two, loved them, i have always loved the nsx, sporty, reliable and hold their value very very well,,,,,,,, i love the porsches but i would be scared to drop that much money on a used one..........

can you get all those done with the car for 45k?

$45k just for the car alone. the fun part is saving up and modding the car patiently. :)

Thanks for all the great feedback from everyone. This is why I stop by and look at the forums since about a year ago when I bought my RX 330.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m really not the type of guy that modifies a vehicle. I do, however, enjoy looking at the work people place into their vehicles.

I’m not looking for a car that has blazing performance. I just wanted something nice. It looks like I have found a car that has finally caught my eye. There’s a silver/gray 2002 BMW 330 convertible with about 35K miles selling for 35k. Any ideas whether this model is pretty reliable? I don’t know much about BMW’s. I have heard that they have electrical problems, but I don’t know if it’s true on the 3 series.

It really is between that and the SC430, but I’m leaning towards the 330.

With the money I’ll be saving, I’m thinking about going ahead and trading up my RX for a GX. Now, THAT’S a man’s car.

Thanks for all the great feedback from everyone. This is why I stop by and look at the forums since about a year ago when I bought my RX 330.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I’m really not the type of guy that modifies a vehicle. I do, however, enjoy looking at the work people place into their vehicles.

I’m not looking for a car that has blazing performance. I just wanted something nice. It looks like I have found a car that has finally caught my eye. There’s a silver/gray 2002 BMW 330 convertible with about 35K miles selling for 35k. Any ideas whether this model is pretty reliable? I don’t know much about BMW’s. I have heard that they have electrical problems, but I don’t know if it’s true on the 3 series.

It really is between that and the SC430, but I’m leaning towards the 330.

With the money I’ll be saving, I’m thinking about going ahead and trading up my RX for a GX. Now, THAT’S a man’s car.

well between the 330 and the sc430, for sure i think the sc430 has a much better status and image. plus it's going to be more reliable for sure, i don't think anyone can argue that :)

and flip, gotcha, i wonder how much extra it would cost to make the car LOOKS like that too ;)

For $45k maybe you can find a brand new leftover 05 GS430 :)

I’m not looking for a car that has blazing performance. I just wanted something nice. It looks like I have found a car that has finally caught my eye. There’s a silver/gray 2002 BMW 330 convertible with about 35K miles selling for 35k. Any ideas whether this model is pretty reliable? I don’t know much about BMW’s. I have heard that they have electrical problems, but I don’t know if it’s true on the 3 series.


The 3-series is recommended by Consumer Reports which means it has at least average reliability (their term is "good"). I subscribe to CR's online service - just looked up the reliability history and it looks like BMW got the 3-series' electrical issues generally taken care of by 2000. So a 2002 model should serve you well.

The 330 convert is a nice ride. :thumbup:

M.

For $45k maybe you can find a brand new leftover 05 GS430 :)

man it would be really sad if a dealership still has one around

Have you considered the new Porsche Cayman? I think it looks great and with a 295hp flat six how can you go wrong. Then again, a 911 is hard to fault as a driving experience.